6 years and counting. Will it ever end?

[trapin]

I'm starting year 6 of my build. I can confidentally say that I'm about 70 percent there but some days it feels like I'm no where near to getting this damn car finished. I try to imagine what it's going to be like to drive this thing and for some reason...I can't, like it's an impossible dream or something. I never imagined it would take this long. I haven't driven this car in 13 years and I can hardly remember what it was like.

I guess you can call this the 6 year itch. LOL!!!

Anyone else feeling dragged down by their projects.

Please tell me it gets better.

[V8TV]

It does get better. I (and most of is) know the feeling well... our Galaxie project has been evolving for 14 years now. True, it drives, but it seems to go from drivable to non-operational every 6 months.

What I've found is that the car you envision driving 13 years ago isn't what you want now, so the plans tend to change. Especially when it's a car that has a real-guy budget (none) and only spare time to build. This tends to add time.

Getting behind the wheel for the first time always brings mixed emotions... some aspects aren't at all what you wanted, others are plesantly surprising. Things will sound and feel different from what you remember or expected.

That's when the next phase - the tuning and tweaking - begins. You'll make alot of changes, and it's important not to be put off in the beginning. Small things make big improvements. I can't tell you what a difference a good alignment, trans, and EFI tune made on our Galaxie. It was a completely different car, with no parts changing.

It's a long haul, but it's worth it. Keep pluggin' away... when it's all finished (or at least driving), you'll say "This kicks ass! Why didn't I get this thing finished sooner!"

Good luck!

- Kevin Oeste

[oldzzy]

Hey Tony, i feel your pain! I haven't driven my car since 97! Yes that's 10 years now. I have been working on mine for about 3-4 years tho. Sometimes i wish i never took this damn thing apart! Whenever i feel like giving up and getting rid of it, i just get on the internet and see someone elses project that is finished. When i see how much fun they are having, it makes me keep mine lol. So wether it's storage issues (which i solved by building my own garage), or money (which i still haven't solved yet!), i have to be patient! I wish i could tell ya that it's gets better but, i can't yet lol!

[MarkM66]

6 years isn't that bad. Heck I know people that have been waiting for a billet gas filler cap for about that long, ;) .

[JamesJ]

Some people dont ever get to have a project, only the dream.

[MaxHarvard]

Hang in there, %70 is pretty darn good. As long as your making progress! :)

[Smack_talker]

Some people dont ever get to have a project, only the dream.

I hope you see some light at the end of the tunnel. I on the other hand still have to buy my dreamcar.:rolleyes: I like a idiot sold the one I had 10 years ago.

[Leadfoot1]

Some people dont ever get to have a project, only the dream.

THAT...Has got to help Tony! Thrue in deed. So, at least you have one and its moving along!

You know, thats why i'm afraid to take even the front end off mine...I know if i take it ,i might loose it for awhile. (even tough it i the thing to do)

I know how you feel.

Hey, post some pics of that project if you have some!

Lead.

[Steve68]

At least your 70%, I haven't driven mine since 93, I was rebuilding it with a BBC/700R4,

and then there was these articles about the Red Witch, and how this Steilow guy was building this cool car, the rest is history,

and now I get to go on vacation, but when I get back my tax money will be here!!!! :thumbsup:

[NOVA]

I'm starting year 6 of my build. I can confidentally say that I'm about 70 percent there but some days it feels like I'm no where near to getting this damn car finished. I try to imagine what it's going to be like to drive this thing and for some reason...I can't, like it's an impossible dream or something. I never imagined it would take this long. I haven't driven this car in 13 years and I can hardly remember what it was like.

I guess you can call this the 6 year itch. LOL!!!

Anyone else feeling dragged down by their projects.


How Ironic! I just posted this (below) a couple days ago....... Yes I sure know what your going thru!

Sometimes I just want a completely finished Car Now!

I have been giving some thought to just finding a finished car that is real close to what I want and trade my cars for one finished one.

Lately It seems I just want to go to the garage, back out the car, dust it off and go for a cruise! I guess I am getting tired of having a couple cars (one close to done) and the other that needs to have paint,interior etc! seems like I spend more time trying to get one to were I want it, rather than being able to just have a kick ass ride thats finished and completely done!

Does anyone else go thru this?

[Payton King]

I took a running driving car and was going to drop a big block in it over the weekend. I pulled out the instructions on my vintage air that I am about to put in last weekend...the date was Aug 2001.

So a motor swap turned into a huge re-do on the entire car and have made many changes along the way. I am so close that I can taste it...but damn, it has still been 5.5 years

[almcbri]

It all began for me at 17 in Sept. 2002. I bought my first classic car, the 68 camaro and I truly thought at the time that I would be driving her in about 2 months! Boy I really didn't know what I was doing. I am just going on my 5th year, but I never thought it would take this long. I am in college, and truly don't have the time and the funds!! I am seeing the end of the project, but I am just waiting on time! and....money! :thumbsup:


I do have those dreams though Trapin! It just stinks when reality sets in or I wake up and realize I am still a ways away. Your old 68 looks great!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

i dont know HOW you guys do that.. all those years youre just dreaming about driving it..

i dunno whats worse.. that, or paint prison.:(

[Leadfoot1]

I took a running driving car and was going to drop a big block in it over the weekend. I pulled out the instructions on my vintage air that I am about to put in last weekend...the date was Aug 2001.

So a motor swap turned into a huge re-do on the entire car and have made many changes along the way. I am so close that I can taste it...but damn, it has still been 5.5 years



OK!!!Thats it for me, i'm unscribing from this thread!!! LOL!!!Thats exactly what i'm afraid of as i KNOW thats what's gonna happen.

Great posts guy's...we should sticky this thing for future use when we need some boost....


Lead.

[trapin]

I dont know HOW you guys do that...

It's easy....we're broke. :rofl:

Seriously though, I have my wheels and tires, the suspension's done, the paint is done, I got my motor and trans, and according to my list of "Things To Buy And Do" it's like I'm half way between base camp and the summit. I mean just to get the damn thing running and able to drive around the block (this is minus interior, trim, and windows) is going to cost a mountain of money.

Good grief!!! Gotta stay positive though, I guess. :captain:

[Roger Poirier]

This entire thread is :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: We have all been there including myself. I have you all beat in double fiqures. 30 years.

R.P.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

jeebus..

[Payton King]

house and garage. Life is just getting in the way. Kids, job, wife are keeping me out of the garage. I need 40 hours and I could cruise the neighborhood.

Ok that's it! I am calling a few friends up and I am going to do a thrash this weekend.

[Martin71RS]

I bought mine...started to "fix it up a bit" and that took me about 4 years...then I drove it daily for about a year and a half and had some damage (the last one that did it was a big dent in the door)

I was so sick of it I put it away in the garage and didn't look at it for a year.

I could have had it repainted and drive it again since it worked fine...but during that year I gathered a lot more goodies....that I now am bolting on.

So since I parked it I am allready 2 1/2 years further down the road.:_paranoid

I am seriously trying hard to get it back on the road this year......
www.pro-touring.nl for the full story.
Martin

[Efi69Cam]

I'm starting year 6 of my build. I can confidentally say that I'm about 70 percent there but some days it feels like I'm no where near to getting this damn car finished. I try to imagine what it's going to be like to drive this thing and for some reason...I can't, like it's an impossible dream or something. I never imagined it would take this long. I haven't driven this car in 13 years and I can hardly remember what it was like.

I guess you can call this the 6 year itch. LOL!!!

Anyone else feeling dragged down by their projects.

Please tell me it gets better.

Keep your focus. Scope creep will bury your project. Don't ask me how I know.

[FasstGbody]

this thread made me think about how long its been since my car has drove/ran. :mad: 3 years now :faint: